CATALONIA -- -- Catalan leader says Madrid cannot block independence referendum | EurActiv

Catalan leader says Madrid cannot block independence referendum | EurActiv

Spain cannot block a non-binding vote on Catalan
independence that could become the basis for negotiations on Catalonia's
future, the president of the northeastern region Artur Mas said in an
interview published yesterday (2 February).

"If I call a consultation, not to
declare the independence of Catalonia nor to break with the Spanish
state, but to know the opinion of the citizens of this country, a
knee-jerk anti-democratic response from Spain would be pretty bad and
disgraceful in the view of the entire world," Artur Mas told La
Vanguardia, Catalonia's leading newspaper.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has pledged to go to the Constitutional
Tribunal to block any Catalan attempts to hold a referendum, arguing
sovereignty is a matter for all of Spain to decide, but Mas said there
was another possible approach.

"It is what I call the solution tolerated by the central government.
They let us hold the consultation, they don't get involved, and
afterwards we go to Madrid to negotiate," he said.

Over the past three years the independence movement in Catalonia has
gained force, with roughly half of Catalans saying they want
independence from Spain and a much bigger majority saying they should
have the right to decide.

Catalonia, which has its own language, has significant self-governing
powers. But economic doldrums, public spending cuts and perceptions of
unfair taxes and the concentration of power in Madrid have fed breakaway
fever.

The independence movement has become a major headache for Rajoy, who
is struggling to pull Spain out of six years of economic stagnation and
unemployment of 26%.

"The unity of all Spaniards is what makes us great, and what the
great majority of Spaniards want," Rajoy said on Sunday. "Those who
don't agree with that must respect that desire, and respect the law."